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Pharmacotherapy of alcohol and drug problems
Author(s) -
SELLERS EDWARD M.,
ROMACH MYROSLAVA K.
Publication year - 1991
Publication title -
drug and alcohol review
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.018
H-Index - 74
eISSN - 1465-3362
pISSN - 0959-5236
DOI - 10.1080/09595239100185251
Subject(s) - diazepam , pharmacotherapy , discontinuation , medicine , benzodiazepine , drug , serotonergic , propylthiouracil , pharmacology , psychiatry , serotonin , receptor , thyroid
Substantial progress has been made in the pharmacotherapy of withdrawal syndromes and organic complications of alcohol and drug abuse. Diazepam loading (alcohol withdrawal), phenobarbital loading (barbituate withdrawal) and diazepam tapering (benzodiazepine discontinuation) have considerably simplified treatment of withdrawal syndromes and have enhanced efficacy. Propylthiouracil shows considerable promise in the out‐patient treatment of alcoholic liver disease. New medications, particularly those modifying serotonergic function, have efficacy in decreasing alcohol consumption and show considerable therapeutic potential. Human pharmacology and pharmacotherapy should be a central part of training programmes in the field in order that further advances can be made.